Elephant cull mooted

Wildlife

Hundreds of elephants in South Africa may have to be culled to cope with their soaring numbers, authorities in South Africa have announced. Martinius Van Schalkwyk, the country's environment and tourism minister, has reported that the Kruger National Park, home to two thirds of the country's elephant population, now has over 12,400 animals.

"The problem is one of space," says Jason Bell-Leask the southern Africa director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Bull elephants are being severely impacted as fighting for primacy within herds has reduced the average age of males to 45 years.

"It's an extremely emotive issue and any decision to bring back culling, which no one wants to do, is never taken lightly," says Rob Little of the World Wildlife Fund in South Africa. As well as the culling option, wildlife experts are also considering introducing contraception measures.

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